Posts with tag 'Indonesia'

Spur of the moment

So yesterday things took an unexpected twist and I leave for Kuala Lumpur in a couple of hours. From there, me and Ian fly to Jakarta. Just decided yesterday that it'd be a good thing to do. Means though that I'll be missing out on the Full Moon Party tomorrow and diving after in Ko Tao. THe diving I would like to do too but I've been on a tourist track the whole time so this is my last chance to deviate from that. Should be a lot of fun...

I know this sad but its something I have to do..........
I'm going to Java and staying in Jakarta. After that we might rent an Apache bike and head to the C. I hope there are no Pythons! We dont want to cause a stir so we have to remain very PC.

For those who get that... sorry, I know its sad. But when again will I ever have the chance to do that. Haha.

The last couple of nights have been fun. Again its just been more of the same. Relaxing all day and heading out at night. We went on a boat trip around the island yesterday which was good. Did a bit of snorkling and played some volleyball. Not exactly the sexy image normally portrayed of beach volleyball!

Last night was the first night not at the beach. Instead we went to a pool party. That was lots of fun. Jumping in water that I'm fairly sure was mainly piss by the end of the night. Met a few of the people we've seen for the last few days. Never got to say bye to some of them though which is a pity. THey were a good bunch. Its kinda taken me by surprise leaving so early. Can't wait though.

Will keep y'all informed

Brian

Jakarta - Nerdy jokes aside

We arrived in Jakarta late last night. This was a whole new experience for us. We arrived at the airport with no knowledge what so ever of the city. We had no idea where to go, what to expect or what price to pay. When we got our bags to leave the airport there was the usual barrage of taxis trying to extort us to get into the city center. But we asked a few guys the best thing to do and they said a bus to the train station in the city center, called Gambir. While walking to the bus some taxi drivers kept mentioning the name of a place called Jacksa (thats phonetically, not sure of the spelling). Ian talked to a few of the bus guys and got his bearings a bit so we got the bus into town and headed to Jacksa from the station on a local tuk tuk type thing.

Nearly as soon as we got out we met 3 people (German, Austrian and Macedonian) who pointed us in the direction of accommodation and food. Later we had a beer with them and they gave us advice on where to see and where to avoid. So on their word we woke up this morning and are now heading to Sumatra at 10 tomorrow. We have no travel guide or anything so we are just talking to people to see where is best to go. Will see how it works out.

In other news, I am now the proud owner of a Nikon D50 slr camera with a 18-135mm lens and plenty of accessories. Its my new toy and I love it. Hopefully I'll get some quality photos up soon. Have one or 2 nice ones already but I'd image the real good ones will come from Sumatra. I can see Mam shaking her at me spending money on a camera, but its only money, will just have to spend less elsewhere.

I leave nerd joke heaven tomorrow so will keep updating with hopefully lots of fun and adventure@

Later

Brian

Berastagi

So we left Berastagi today and flew to Batam. Berastagi is a great place. There are 2 volcanoes there but unfortunately the weather was terrible. When I say terrible, it was the same as every summers day in Ireland I experienced this year. Ian got to climb one of the volcanoes but unfortunately I've been struggling with a stomach bug so I only made it up a tiny it of the way before coming down.

The town itself is really nice. Everybody was so friendly and would smile and say hello, etc. The first day me and Ian arrived there we got shouted at, a lot, by the local girls. Apparently westerners have a good reputation.

A really strange thing about that town is that they have a monument to a cabbage! You'll see for yourself from the pictures. Speaking about pictures, I have a put up a couple I have taken the last few days. There are more from Kuala Lumpur and Jakarta but I don't have them with me. Remember, I'm only learning and absolutely no post processing was done. So some pics are over exposed, some under exposed.

The food in Berastagi was amazing too. We walk into places and ask for vegetarian snd they gave us a little bit of everything. We ate like kings for about 1.50 between us. So good. And really nice accommodation cost us about 7 euro between us. Amazing.

Anywho, time for some western food, off to Pizza Hut

Later

Brian

Berastagi at night

Ian with one of the kids from the guesthouse

Trikora Beach

Hello... just so you know I am still alive and finally in Oz. The first thing you notice is the temperature here. Its cold. Maybe 19 degrees. I have no jumper either so need to get one quick. Since the last post though I did find a little piece of heaven on earth. After our night in Batam, the worst place in possibly the world (well not really but it was horrible), we went to the internet and came across a place called Trikora beach. So we got a boat to Bintan 2 hours later. Trikora beach is on the east side of teh island. The only thing we knew about it was the name of a place called Shady Shacks.

We set off looking for this place and on the road in a taxi/hi-ace with our lunatic driver (he talked to himself the whole time) we drove past some bungalows which Ian mistook for Shady Shacks. We got out anyway and had a look at the rooms and prices. For the whole time I have been travelling I have wanted a hut on the beach. This wasn't quite on the beach though. This was more... in the Ocean. For about 12 euro the 2 of us stayed in this amazing place. Pretty much, it was just us there. We got to know the staff, one of the guys was teaching us how to count and important things like ordering beer. We stayed there then for 6 nights. It was amazing. We did pretty much nothing. Just chilled out, relaxed, played 25 and chess, ate and drank. We'd sit out at night, eat the most amazing prawns and fish (well I did, Ian is a vegetarian for a while) and chat. It was perfect way to end the traveling.

One of the days we went fish. Not a sign of a fish anywhere near us but still we struggled on standing in water up to our waste with fishing rods. When I say fishing rods, I mean bamboo sticks with fishing line tied to the top. We used bait of squid which probably wouldn't help either. Still it was good fun. On the last day we went to white sand island. That was great until we realised that we were really close to the equator in the mid-day sun and not much shade. I got a little burnt but not too bad. Not sure about Ian.

Leaving that place was rock hard to do. Could have stayed for ages more. Everything about the place is amazing. Hopefully at some point I'll have time to sort out pictures to give people an idea but anyone who is traveling go to Bintan and stay in Nostalgia Yasin Bungalows. Its two hours on a boat from Singapore to get there and then 45 minutes to the bungalows.

If you are in Singapore though, don't bother trying to head out. I payed 7 euro for a whisky. I couldn't believe it. Especially sine in the Duty Free I got a bottle of 12 year Jameson for 20 euro. Singapore is a nice city though but after everywhere else it seems soooo expensive. Mad westernised too.

Anyway, it was a long flight and I've been awake 25 hours now so its off to bed for me.

Adios

Brian

Gallery

I have put up some pictures on the gallery. Its decent quality but we'll be changing it to make the pics bigger. All the pics are either from berastagi or Trikora Beach.

Enjoy

Brian

SE Asia, A quick guide

Right here is my guide/advice/review for SE Asia....

We arrived in Bangkok and spent 2 nights there. We stayed ages away from Khoasan road the first time we were there which was a huge mistake. You're stuck in traffic for hours then if you want to get there and it's where most of the stuff is happening too. We went into T.A.T to book our hotel the first time round and while we were there we booked trekking in Chiang Mai and our trip into Lao. If you wanna do it that way then thats fine but they will over quote you so haggle with them. I would advise not booking a place until you've seen it first. You can book something when you get to a place. We got the Vietnam visa sorted there too which is a must because you need it before you go to Vietnam. The second time round, we stayed on Rambuttri in a place called the Orchid Guesthouse. It was reasonably priced quiet location and near to everything (parallel to Khoasan).

In Chiang Mai, we stayed in BMP Residential which was nice, had a pool, was close to town, and organised the trekking. We got a VIP bus up there which was savage. Talking to other people who've been trekking I'd recommend going with the BMP Residential, they're the only crowd who spend a night at a waterfall, from what I gather (thats the 3 days 2 nights option). That for me was one of the highlights of the trip. Outside of Chiang Mai there are other places to see but I'm not sure of where or when.

From there we went to Chiang Kong to catch the slow boat. No matter what anyone tells you, you get you're visa at the border. If you do get the slow boat bring cushions the seats are uncomfortable. Lao is a gorgeous country but we spent the time on the tourist track. Tubing in Vang Vieng is decent but to really experience Lao I think you might need to get off the tourist track a little, I'm not sure how easy that is though.

Vietnam was the same as Lao, we just stayed on the tourist track. Around Hanoi there's Hao Lon bay (check spelling) and Sampa which we didn't see and are meant to be good. You can buy a bus ticket from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh for US$34 which lets you stop off in a few places. You can get suits in Hoi An but apart from a decent beach there is nothing else there. Hue looked nice but we only spent a couple of hours there. There are plenty of tours available but it might be best to see how much of the time you spend in a bus though. We didn't do anything. There is nothing in Nha Trang, maybe diving but Kho Tao is meant to be better.Stay a night or 2 and get drunk but don't waste too much time. The islands off the coast are meant to be nice, again we never made it there. Ho Chi Minh is cool. Its a good city and the tunnels are worth a visit along with the war remnants museum.

Kho Phangan is Ibiza but 10 years later. Full of English and Irish with nothing to do but get rotten drunk on a beach. Its good for a couple of nights but you need to be there long before the full moon to get anywhere. We were there 5 or 6 nights before. We stayed on the sunset beach which I think is close enough and far enough away from the action. Need to ask Jonny though.

Indonesia for me was the best place and the only thing that comes near it was trekking. The people there are amazing. We stayed away from Bali but there are the Gilli islands and Lombark in that general direction that we wanted to go to. We went to Sumatera, stayed as little as possible in Jakarta. If you only have a short period of time then Sumatera is you're best bet. If you want to climb a volcano the go to Berastagi. That place is amazing, the food, the people, everything. Around there as well is Lake Toba and Ketambe which we didn't get to see but heard great things about. From Sumatera we went to Bintan island. This place is a 2 hour boat journey from Singapore so you should make time for it. We stayed on Trikora beach in Yasin Bungalows, which is easy to get to. I would recommend going there during the week because a lot of people from Singapore go there for the weekend. I really recommend making time for the place.

KL is a really nice city and worth a visit but we didn't spend long enough there so I can't tell you completely what I make of it. I did like it though. Singapore is only good if you want to shop. After everywhere else in Asia it'll seem made expensive and drink is extortionate, even compared to Irish prices.

Any questions about anywhere, leave a comment and I'll do my best to answer....

Brian

I'm BAAAACK!!

So here we are again. Its nearly 2 and a half years later and me and Matt are back at it again. In Indonesia again, for 2 weeks again. This time though we are over to visit Ian who is studying in the University of Indonesia. So far this is what has been happening...

Thursday after a long flight we got in to Jakarta airport and met up with Ian at about 7pm. From there we got a taxi to his place in Depok which is to the south of Jakarta city centre and where his University is too. We got some dinner and went for a few beers to catch up. The following day it was getting up for a swim and heading of to the Theme park in Northern Jakarta. Anybody who knows me, knows that I am not really one for theme parks and rides and what have you. This is mainly because, well, I am a pussy! But fair play to Matt and Ian who went on a good few things including the Tornado (which when Funderland is on, I believe its called the Terminator?). I stuck to one that shoots you up into the air and you freefall down for a bit called Hysteria. The feeling when upwards motion stops and gravity takes over again was about the worst feeling I have ever experienced. When I got off the ride, my bicep was sore from holding on too tight and my legs were like jelly!

We spent the weekend then in a place called Bogor to the south of Jakarta, about an hour and a half away from Depok on the A/C train. There we got accommodation in a nice hotel for 310,000 (inc tax) a night for 2 single beds, although the name of the hotel escapes me now. It was near the train station though if anybody is looking for it. We got there on Saturday and basically used every mode of Indonesian land transport there is. First it was a horse and trap looking for a place to stay after getting off the train. When we headed to Lido we were in a taxi and then on ojegs (moped taxis). After this it was a little mini bus that reminded me of a tiny hi-ace (when added to the horse we really did feel like knackers!). This was then followed by being in a rickshaw-esque bike thing.

Anywho, the reason for going to Bogor was to go to Lido which has an adventure centre. While there we went on ATV's (quad bikes) through the jungle followed by white water rafting. The quads that they had there were not hectic. They only had one big one working which Ian took because he was sharing with his girlfriend Tika. Unfortunately for them, it wasnt working great and kept cutting out. The one I had and the one Matt had suffered from one similar fault, they were too small and with not enough power, so we kept getting stuck in the mud (although me a bit more, having a few more kebabs under the belt than Matt). After the quads it was white water rafting. We wanted to do the "adventure" package but they were expecting bad weather which meant we only had time for the "family" package which meant that we didnt really have too much white water to deal with. While the above sounds disappointing for both, both were great fun and I would say to anybody looking for a bit of craic to head there. There are other things you are able to do also from the centre in Lido.

After a good night's sleep to get rid of any remaining jet-lag, we got up and headed to the botanic gardens there for a look. This place has a flower (is actually a fungus) which only comes up every 3 years or so. It grows massive and flowers but only lasts a few weeks. I am not sure what its called but I remember something similar being in the Denis the Menace film when I was younger.

We then got the express train back to Depok and had a massage, my first one ever! Why on earth people find that an enjoyable experience I do not know. It was excruciating pain and no tangible benefits that I can make out in the couple of hours since I have had mine. My first and likely my last massage.

So the plan for the remaining time here. Tomorrow we are up at a sparrows fart to get the economy train en route to Batukaras. From what I understand this will be a full days travel and we probably wont arrive until 10pm tomorrow. Once we get there the plan is dependent on Ian's college commitments. If he has to be in the following Monday, then me and Matt might stay on there a bit longer or head to somewhere else for a few days. Otherwise it is back to Jakarta and from there get a boat out to an island from there for a couple of nights.

The blog will probably only be updated a couple of times on this trip but sure since we have it, may as well use it

Matt and Ian on the rollercoaster

Squashed into a horse "carraige"

Ian and Tika

Ian on the back of an Ojeg

Me and Indonesian Stig

Ian on the big quad that would eventually keep breaking down

Me on the tiny quad... it turned out to be the fastest one we had though

All of us before rafting

Locals kids like the chance to have photos taken with us. I don't think Matt noticed the young lad's hat!

The economy train

Matt and Ian hanging out

Batukaras

As I sit here on the floor updating the blog, in a puddle of sweat, I am about 20 minutes from Batukaras. This is where we are going to stay at least until the weekend. The reason is my first ever try at surfing! I know, I went around the world and never did it but here I am to rectify the situation.

We got here last night and the journey was epic. A taxi to the train station was followed by probably the 10 most enjoyable hours I have ever spent on a train. It is a very different experience. When you are sitting in your seats, loads of people come up selling all sorts from back scratchers and phone batteries to food and coffee. When the train is moving then you can sit down at the door and enjoy the view. It was a fairly class thing to do and cost about 40,000 (less than 4 euro). All the locals were so friends and were laughing at both my height and the size of my feet as well as the usual requests to have your photo taken with a little kid (not in the Gary Glitter way).

Off the the train in Banjar (I think) and a local bus to a small town where I am now. From there it was on the back of a moped to Batukaras where we got ourselves a beer and room for the night.

This morning we went to go surfing but unfortunately there were no waves, although we are expecting some shortly. So we rented some mopeds and headed to a place where you can get a boat up the Green Canyon. It was class. A boat ride through some spectacular jungle followed by a swim upstream against the current and a very quick swim back. If you are ever here it is worth it. 75000 for the boat and another 100000 I think to do the swimming part. If you are not a strong swimmer, they will give you a life jacket.

For now, I am off to check those waves but will update again soon as the moped ride here is enjoyable. I dont have a camera cable with me but photos will come later

Hasta luego